A GIANT sunflower is proving that the ‘green' message has really taken root at Wokingham's Wescott Infant School.

A GIANT sunflower is proving that the ‘green' message has really taken root at Wokingham's Wescott Infant School.

The yellow giant is the winner of a schools' competition to grow the tallest plant from seeds given out to mark national Composting Awareness Week in April.

At the start of this school term Peter Baveystock, Wokingham District Council's waste and recycling manager, made a four-month check on the schools that had received seeds.

After visits to confirm the height of the tallest reported blooms, Wescott was confirmed as the winner with a wonderful 11ft 3in specimen.

Now the nurturing efforts of the school will be rewarded with a new tree, courtesy of the district council, to be planted in the school grounds in November.

Council chairman Cllr Muriel Long, who went along to the school to offer congratulations, said: "It's lovely to see the enthusiasm that's gone into growing sunflowers from seeds at Wescott and other schools in the district.

"With the end of the summer here I'm sure these bright flowers will continue to bring a bit of sunshine into our schools, as well as providing a reminder of the benefits of composting and seeds for planting next year."

Headteacher Jacqui Bruce said: "We have been working hard recently to improve our school grounds.

"Thanks to the generous support of parents, including helping us in the holidays, the plants have really flourished.

"It was a wonderful surprise to hear we had won the competition. We will really enjoy planting the prize tree in the autumn."